NaVorro Bowman downplays pre-practice routine

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — After NaVorro Bowman told Sports Illustrated it takes him two hours to get his surgically repaired left knee ready for practice, former NFL safety Rodney Harrison opined on NBCSN this week that such a lengthy warm-up could indicate the 49ers inside linebacker was returning to the field too early.

Today, Bowman was asked about his pre-practice routine, and whether his return is premature. Bowman had said his knee was typically massaged and flexed before each practice.

“I’m just a perfectionist and I like to warm up my leg as much as possible to go out there and have a perfect practice,” Bowman said. “If it takes three hours, it takes three hours. Me coming back early? That would have been if I came back during the season last year. I sat out. I did my rehab. I feel great.

“No one knows your body like you do and whoever is making those comments – it’s just the type of athlete I am. I like to take time to get all the way warmed up and ready to play.”

Bowman said his warm-up is “not really two hours.” He noted he didn’t warm-up before the 49ers arrived the Broncos’ facility about 30 minutes before today’s practice. He acknowledged he didn’t have a pre-practice routine prior to his injury.

“I didn’t have to warm up my knee prior to the knee injury,” Bowman said. “I had surgery. I mean, you know? It doesn’t feel the same as the other one. So I have to make sure I’m able to do everything I have to do when practice starts. That’s where the timeframe came from. It’s not really two hours.”

Bowman made his preseason debut on Sunday against the Cowboys and his three-snap outing featured three tackles, including two for losses. Bowman was asked about how long he typically spends getting his knee ready for practice.

“I don’t know,” Bowman said. “I warm up the knee. The knee feels great and I go out there and just play.”